Skip to main content

View Post [edit]

Poster: Bob Gnarley Date: Jan 21, 2009 11:31am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

Do you have an aversion to Jorma, Jack, and Steeler?

Reply [edit]

Poster: johnnyonthespot Date: Jan 21, 2009 11:32am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

no Bob, I like the Tuna power trio. Although I must say as much as I love Tuna and collect them I don't spend countless hours listening to 30 minute Walkin Blues jams. I much prefer Jorma's originals, and shorter songs. I understand that a lot of what followed was based on Cream and Hendrix BUT that doesn't change what I like.

Also, I find Cassidy to be a phenominally more dynamic and interesting bassit than Jack Bruce. I just don't like Bruces sound on bass. Maybe it's the fretless thing

Reply [edit]

Poster: William Tell Date: Jan 21, 2009 11:50am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

Yikes! Why haven't we parted company on Bruce before? I rank him as top bass player, all time, period. Put Phil ahead of JC, though I do like him a great deal. With Bruce's singing and song writing I defn think of him as a huge player in the CREAM sound; more critical than Eric for sure (and I put Baker ahead of Eric).

Reply [edit]

Poster: johnnyonthespot Date: Jan 21, 2009 12:51pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

I like Cassidy more but I think he definately tappered off on innovation where Phil kept pushing the sound. And Bruce - he just sounds like a plodding tuba to me and I pretty much hate brass with the only exception of Jazz trumpet and dixiland.

Reply [edit]

Poster: bluedevil Date: Jan 21, 2009 1:27pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

please revise your response to include two words:

John Coltrane

Reply [edit]

Poster: johnnyonthespot Date: Jan 21, 2009 1:34pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

oh man BD! I knew someone would bite but I didn't expect it to be YOU of all people!

The saxaphone is a woodwind instrument not brass. And I love woodwind

Gottcha my friend! : )

Reply [edit]

Poster: bluedevil Date: Jan 21, 2009 1:45pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

From that undisputed source of all that is true, wikpedia:

The saxophone (commonly referred to simply as sax) is a conical-bored transposing musical instrument considered a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and are played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to the clarinet.

I stand corrected. For 45 years (or a bit less), I've always considered a sax in the same family as a trumpet and tuba while deeming the clarinet a woodwind EVEN THOUGH I was well aware of the reed issue that clearly makes it part of the woodwind family. With that said, check out some Dirty Dozen Brass Brand - they are a fun time (even if it's not all strictly brass instruments).

Reply [edit]

Poster: johnnyonthespot Date: Jan 21, 2009 1:52pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

HA!

Dirty Dozen, aren't they dixiland or am I mistaken?

Reply [edit]

Poster: bluedevil Date: Jan 21, 2009 1:55pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

They are from New Orleans, but they funk it up New Orleans style as opposed to being what I deem Dixieland. They did an album with Elvis Costello (hence, we can bring this back full circle to the Dead), but the one I like was released on Mammoth and produced by Medeski of MMW. I've seen them at times with Galactic. Here's a taste - w/ Warren and Bernie Worrell:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8G4q52EsCc&feature=related

Reply [edit]

Poster: johnnyonthespot Date: Jan 21, 2009 3:18pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

I'll have to check it out later. They finally clamped down on us streamin : (

I knew it was a matter of time. I've heard good things about them

Reply [edit]

Poster: johnnyonthespot Date: Jan 21, 2009 1:53pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

alot of my distaste for Brass comes from too much John Philip Sousa crammed down my throught as a kid.

Reply [edit]

Poster: William Tell Date: Jan 21, 2009 1:39pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

The clean sound he articulated was far from plodding IMHO; SunshineoyLove is all bass line, and it is much more than pedestrian. Watching him play, and cram soo many notes into so little space and time...

I really can't imagine us talking this way about someone like him; don't take it personal--but I have not EVER met a muscian's musician that didn't put him on a pedestal if they played/appreciated bass. Don't take that the wrong way--it is NOT an ad homin. attack on you--it is just new to me and that sounds so sanctimonius so I'll stop...

At least we can agree about the PATS!

Reply [edit]

Poster: johnnyonthespot Date: Jan 21, 2009 1:46pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

Watching him play, and cram soo many notes into so little space and time...


But I don't generally need so many notes crammed in there to impress me. I just don't like the tone. I can't really put my finger on it. I can respect many a great musician but that doesn't nescessarily mean it's pleasing to MY ear. Look at it the same as Dylan, to me I love the way he sings ( well not anymore but past stuff ). There are a billion better trained voices but it's the style or phrasing. I dont know.

Reply [edit]

Poster: William Tell Date: Jan 21, 2009 2:00pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

I hear (har) you man, I hear you...just never encountered it before. This is why I am always going on about it sounding like an opinionated asshole: I sorta think this stuff (all of us pre-occupied with 60s rock) basically like the SAME thing, and somehow, that seems to me what the likes of JB, JC & PL, embody (in terms of the bass) and someone like Pete Sears (Starship etc.) did not (he was often distorted, etc., etc.). Thus, when questioned, I take it seriously as req'ing a re-consideration of my stance...it's also why I don't see what everyone else does about post 72 DEAD...har, har, but...

Anyway, my bad on it; seriously. Always good to kick it around in the interest to understanding our own biases and such better.

Reply [edit]

Poster: johnnyonthespot Date: Jan 21, 2009 3:16pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

no sweet man. I understand. Probably the same as how I feel when people rag on Dylan.

Pete Sears - I never think of him as a great bassist but I dig his contributions on the keys. I was pulling for him to get the spot that went to Vince.

Reply [edit]

Poster: William Tell Date: Jan 21, 2009 3:59pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

Whoaaa---no idea he was capable in that regard!

A bunch of us DEAD types saw Starship in 75 at Winterland, and he did an extended solo. It was the loudest, harshest bass playing I ever was subjected to...we were aghast, but apparently no as much as the folks in the front three rows on the floor who, I shit you not, all stood up and started booing him and waving their hands in a "get outta here!" sortof gesture (?), and he actually paused, though holding a "note" and flipped them (and us all?) off!

It was frickin surreal. At some level, I had to think it was kinda cool, but nonetheless, it cemented my view of him as less than ideal bass playing wise.

Hard to describe, but the notes were just raw, distorted sounds--opposite of "clean" if that makes any sense whatsoever...almost as if you were attempting to transform your bassline into a organ or other "fill" instrument.

Sorry, babbling now...

Reply [edit]

Poster: johnnyonthespot Date: Jan 21, 2009 4:47pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

wow, that's uncalled for. I know what you mean on the lame solo, even though Starship was pretty damn good in 75.

He's really tasteful on keys when he's played with Hot Tuna and other low key stuff. I'm not sure he'd of been a big enough of a presence for the Dead BUT, I really didn't want them to rely so much on the keyboards as they did with Brent. Plus, I liked the idea of having someone who'd been around the scene for as long as he had. But alas, that was 18 flippin years ago. Hard to believe.

Reply [edit]

Poster: Thai Stick Date: Jan 21, 2009 12:43pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

Bob Gnarley
I should not have just called out Clapton. There all very very gifted Musicians. It's just it does not open up anything new. I cant think, explore it. It's a real werd narrow minded me thing.

Reply [edit]

Poster: William Tell Date: Jan 21, 2009 11:39am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

Always, always loved that "good shepard" (?) song...not sure if that's the name. Love the way he sings it...

Arb sent me a nice little show from 84 or so with it...

Reply [edit]

Poster: bluedevil Date: Jan 21, 2009 11:41am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

in defense of EC, and I know this has nada to do w/ JOTS re trio issues, please listen to the "jams" w/ him and Duane Allmann on the Derek & Dominoes' stuff. I LOVE that shit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BD6kLb-bCQ&feature=related

More fun w/ Duane and Eric:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuRVXKwU-jM&feature=related


Reply [edit]

Poster: johnnyonthespot Date: Jan 21, 2009 11:51am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

oh yeah, BD. I'm not anti Clapton, I just don't dig the majority of Creams sound. I love what Clapton did with the Dominoes and Blind Faith after. I have the three CD box set and one of those discs is nothing but jams. Good stuff. I like Clapton's 70's stuff too but let's face it, it was a blatant rip off of JJ Cale ( who I love btw ).

Reply [edit]

Poster: bluedevil Date: Jan 21, 2009 12:02pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

Have you heard the Road to Escondido disc he and Cale put out together in the past year or so? I've only heard a tune on KPIG while driving and wonder how it is (I really, really like cale too - and EC readily admits to the theft).

Reply [edit]

Poster: johnnyonthespot Date: Jan 21, 2009 1:35pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Non-Dead for William Tell

no but I've wanted to since it came out. I was waiting for the list price to go down. And yeah, EC had the decency to give credit where credit is due. Like mentioned before ( only opposite ) - I AM a drinker so I do dig Clapton's laid back 70's sound.